(Source – X.com)
A significant cyberattack has struck Ascension, a major US healthcare system, compelling the diversion of ambulances from “several” of its hospitals, the organization disclosed on Thursday. Ascension, headquartered in St. Louis, oversees a nonprofit network encompassing 140 hospitals spanning 19 states. The cyberattack has disrupted crucial operations, hampering access to electronic health records, phone systems, and various medical procedure and prescription systems, according to Ascension’s Thursday statement.
Disruption in Healthcare Operations
In response to the cyberattack, Ascension, managing 40 senior living facilities as well, has activated “downtime procedures” to mitigate the impact on patient care. These protocols involve reverting to backup processes, such as paper records, to ensure the continuity of healthcare services in the absence of functioning computer systems. The extent of the disruption has prompted Ascension to take proactive measures to manage the situation and minimize disruptions to essential healthcare operations.
Response and Recovery Measures
Prompt action has been taken by Ascension following the cyberattack’s discovery on Wednesday. The healthcare system has notified federal authorities, enlisted the assistance of Mandiant, a renowned US cybersecurity firm, to address the breach, and initiated system shutdowns to contain the incident. Ascension reaffirmed its commitment to assisting healthcare facilities in delivering safe patient care by implementing established downtime protocols and procedures.
Broader Implications and Concerns
The cyberattack on Ascension is the latest in a series of significant hacking incidents that have targeted prominent US healthcare networks, prompting urgent government intervention and heightened scrutiny. A ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a UnitedHealth Group subsidiary, in February disrupted pharmacy billing operations nationwide and posed a substantial threat to healthcare providers. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty estimated that one-third of Americans may have had their personal data compromised in the attack. This incident underscores the vulnerabilities of America’s healthcare infrastructure to disruptive cyber threats, raising concerns among policymakers and government agencies about the systemic risks posed by such breaches.
As Ascension endeavors to contain the fallout from the cyberattack and restore normal operations, the incident underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures across the healthcare sector. Such measures are essential to safeguard patient data and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of vital healthcare services, highlighting the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity vigilance and preparedness in the face of evolving cyber threats.
